Sure enough, ‘R.I.P.D.’ is DOA

“It’s the sort of movie that, if the air conditioning is working and the popcorn is handy, can provide a nice way to beat the heat.”

That, from Boston critic Daniel M. Kimmel, who writes for NorthShoreMovies.com, is just about the nicest thing that has been written so far about “R.I.P.D.” the undead buddy-cop comedy starring Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds that opens today without being screened in advance for critics.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement, is it? If you’ve been out in the heat and can get somewhere with great air conditioning and hot, fresh, butter-soaked popcorn, you really don’t need to spend 10 bucks on “R.I.P.D.,” do you? You could do just as well in the lobby of your friendly neighborhood multiplex or in front of your big-screen watching “Arrested Development” or “Orange Is the New Black” on Netflix.

Anyway … Kimmel’s lukewarm tout is one of only three “R.I.P.D” reviews judged Fresh of the 23 that have trickled in so far to RottenTomatoes (it was screened last night in most markets to prevent opening-day reviews). The other two alleged touts are also of the damning-with-faint-praise variety.

The movie’s detractors, however, are in no way straddling the middle of the road. Here’s what two mainstream critics have said:

From the tireless Roger Moore of the MCT News Service: “The worst comic book adaptation since ‘Jonah Hex.’ ”

From Kyle Smith of the New York Post: “Every movie coming out this year but ‘R.I.P.D.’ should pause for a big sigh of relief: The possibility of any of them being called the worst cinematic effort of 2013 has, as of today, just about disappeared.”

It’s also gratifying to see that the reviews confirmed my suspicion that the movie was ripping off “Men In Black.” And Smith’s assessment should be a relief to “Grown Ups 2.”